New to Grow
Welcome, I am Qwentella Smith, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have 5 years of experience in treating various issues with diverse clientele. My mission is to work with you to create the life you want to live, equipped with the tools to navigate stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships issues, self esteem and more. I approach therapy as a trained professional and learner. The most effective treatment outcomes are achieved by collaboration between therapist and client. With that understanding I seek to learn about you with cultural sensitivity and genuine curiosity to gain insight to what treatment approaches would best fit your needs. My goal is to guide you with warmth and knowledge while taking your direction on where you're trying to go and what you're trying to achieve. I utilize a variety of treatment styles such as CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, multicultural and solution focused models to provide insight, recommendations and training to enhance your skillset to effectively manage stress, relationships and symptoms of mental health diagnoses.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session, you can expect a brief summary of the therapy process, rules and expectations of engagement. I will provide detailed explanations on confidentiality and privacy. The goal of the first session is introduce therapy, review policies, answer questions and review the intake paperwork to begin the process of determining where we need to start to develop goals.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I have a diverse range of experiences due to working in many different environments with people of different ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual preferences and economic status. My experiences have provided me with invaluable knowledge that informs my practice in selecting treatments that are evidenced based and I've witness be effective for others.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am most effective with clients who are motivated to learn about themselves and experiment with recommended coping strategies and techniques. It is acceptable and understandable to not know exactly what's causing you discomfort or dissatisfaction or not to know what changes you seek. What's most important to the therapy process is willingness to learn and collaborate to gain clarity.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective, evidenced based treatment that focuses on learning the connection between thoughts, feelings, actions and bodily sensations. With an increased knowledge of these functions, CBT provides practical strategies and techniques to make adjustments to thinking and behavioral patterns to achieve a reduction of stress, anxiety, depression and increase your ability to navigate problems, emotions and relationships.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an effective model used to treat clients suffering from difficulty navigating intense emotions that negatively impact many aspects that impact quality of life such as relationships, professionalism, self esteem, stress management and overall life satisfaction. DBT provides knowledge of various factors that impact our experience of life such as biological and environmental factors. DBT is considered at the "third wave" of CBT as is incorporates cognitive and behavioral elements in combination with mindfulness, acceptance and distress tolerance strategies and techniques. This approach can be effective in reducing symptoms and increasing coping effectiveness for those with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and anxiety.
Multicultural
I utilize multicultural therapy to learn essential information about clients regarding their identities, belief systems and systemic issues. Each client has a unique identity that directly impacts their experience with mental health. It is vital to understand ones identity to collaborate in developing goals, selecting appropriate strategies and techniques and conceptualizing challenges.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
This treatment method is utilized to treat specific problems that are impacting ones life. Strategies and techniques for problem solving are emphasized along with goal setting.
Psychodynamic
This treatment approach is utilized to strengthen client's awareness to how past experiences are impacting present experiences to develop solutions for identified problems and facilitate desired changes.